NOAA
Plate Tectonics Interactive
Here is a plate tectonics interactive that will really move your class! The first of a 13-part series introduces young geologists to the fundamental concepts and vocabulary they need to understand the interactions between crustal plates....
University of Colorado
Happy Landings: A Splash or a Splat?
Huygens spacecraft landed on Saturn's moon Titan in 2005, making it the farthest landing from Earth ever made by a spacecraft. In this hands-on activity, the 12th installment of 22, groups explore how density affects speed. To do this,...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Learning the Three Layers
Young scholars examine the Earth's crust or lithosphere, mantle and core. They complete research using assigned web sites before designing a model of the Earth using items such as Play-Doh, peaches and apples.
Curated OER
A Crust Full of Rocks
In this rock worksheet, learners answer seven short answer questions about the composition of the earth's crust. Questions refer to metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks.
Curated OER
Explosive Ideas!
Students explore the layers of the Earth and the dynamic changes that they cause on Earth's surface. Volcanoes and earthquakes become the focus of the lesson as the Oregon State quarter and its Crater Lake images are linked to the topic.
Curated OER
The Planet Earth
Students explore the planet Earth, outer space, and Earth's axis. They demonstrate reading comprehension skills, including literal meaning, inference and critical analysis.
Curated OER
Journey to the Center of the Earth I
Learners identify the elements of science fiction and write their own example. For this Journey to the Center of the Earth lesson students complete several activities about science fiction, authors and novels.
Curated OER
Mystery of the Megaplume
Read through the extensive background information and then lead your geology or physical oceanography class through an investigation of actual temperature anomaly data from the Juan de Fuca ridge. They translate the data onto a plot,...
Curated OER
Tic-Tac-Toe for Layers of the Earth
Eighth graders identify the different layers of the earth. In this earth science instructional activity, 8th graders choose a project to do from a given list according to their learning style. They present their finished project in class.
California Academy of Science
Human Evolution
As the great and hilarious Tim Minchin once said, "Science is simply the word we use to describe a method of organizing our curiosity." Science is more than just a guess; it is based on questions, observations, and evidence. High...
Curated OER
All Shook Up
Pupils calculate the amount of displacement after an earthquake. In this seismic event lesson students research the Internet, and fill out a CORS data sheet.
Curated OER
Hike Preparation
Students examine hiking preparation. In this hiking lesson students plan and pack a bag for a day hike, explore wildlife safety, and investigate the teamwork involved in a group hike.
Curated OER
Earth Movers
Students read an online article about an earthquake and follow up with a series of discussion questions about earthquakes. They answer questions in their science journals about continental drift, plate tetonics, and their influence on...
Curated OER
Planet Interiors
Students compare and contrast the Earth's interior with 2 other planets by looking at images on the computer. In this planet interiors lesson plan, students write a paper about their findings.
Curated OER
Earthquake Science Project
Students simulate the Earth's plates moving like an earthquake by using newspaper and soil. In this earthquake lesson plan, students push and pull the newspaper together that has soil on top and observe what happens.
Curated OER
Our Ever Changing Earth
First graders discover plate tectonics. They observe the forces of erosion. They observe the forces of weathering. They state three ways the earth changes. They record observations and make conclusions about their observations.
Curated OER
Plotting Earthquakes
Young scholars plot earthquakes on a map. In this lesson on earthquakes, students will explore recent earthquake activity in California and Nevada. Young scholars will plot fault lines and earthquake occurrences on a map.
Curated OER
Plate Tectonic Cycle
Learners explore the Earth's movements by completing worksheets. In this plate tectonics lesson, students define such natural disasters as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and mudslides and discuss their connections to plate tectonics....
Curated OER
Earthquake Experiments
Students discuss the effects of earthquakes. In this earth science lesson, students create earthquake models and earthquake-proof buildings. They construct their own seismograph.
Curated OER
Earth History Part II
Eighth graders hypothesize what caused the break up of continents. For this earth science lesson, 8th graders study about the events that took place during Mesozoic and Cenozoic Era. They reconstruct a supercontinent and report their...
Curated OER
All Shook Up
High schoolers measure movements in the Earth's crust due to seismic activity. Students calculate the amount of displacement in horizontal and vertical direction due to an earthquake.
Curated OER
Eight Basic Elements of the Earth
Young scholars identify the concept of an element and work with an idea that all of the millions of substances on the earth are various combinations of only 8 elements. They work with the Periodic Table of the Elements and symbols of...
Curated OER
Other Metals
Students identify the properties of transition metals. In this chemistry lesson plan, students research facts and uses of one aluminum product they choose. They create an advertisement highlighting aluminum's useful properties.
Curated OER
A Model of Three Faults - Part One
Learners construct a fault model using the Fault Model Sheet imbedded in this plan. They create a 3 dimensional model of the Earth, and use dashed lines to illustrate where the fault lies. A discussion of faults follows the completion of...